Sonata was ecstatic when she got the job, bouncing up and down while walking alongside Jack. Jack couldn’t help but crack a smile as she gave off such exuberante glee. Magnus, who walked by their side, seemed very happy by her joyous display of happiness. Jack knew that this was beneficial for both of them. With her getting a job, he can get the landlord to lease for her stay and the two can pay rent . He would have to pay the first rent or two for the both of them until Sonata can properly afford to pay the rent, but it will be at least worth it for the time being.
Looking at his watch he saw that it read twenty till noon and his eyes opened at the time.
“Oh crap, I got to check in with Lee.” I said and Sonata, who had paused mid jubilation, turned to him with a small smile.
“Who’s lee?” she asked, a smile on her face, while she gave a little skip backwards.
“He’s a friend of mine and co-worker at his uncle’s shop. It’s not far from here.” He explained and Sonata gave a twirl.
“Oh okay,” she said cheerfully, still showing great glee and joy of getting a job. Her giddiness was just infectious and Jack couldn’t help but beam from her excitement. The two walked several more feet before she turned to him with a puzzled look.
“I didn't know you had a job,” she said, and I gave a half smile to her.
“Yeah it’s mostly a part time job, I go there often to help move things for the shop, but the money pays well so I don't mind.” He expliend and Sonata nodded to him, that curious nature that she gave off remind him of a little puppy.
“So what kind of job is it?” she asked.
“Well it’s kind of like a specialty shop with some unique items for sale. The owner sells diamonds, jewels, and gems for special rings and jewels, but also he has a bunch of fine wares that he has from his home country of China, which is all the way around the world.”
“Oh cool!” she said, making another spin on the ground, but stopped to give me a funny look. “So, it’s like a thrift store?” she asked and he couldn’t help but chuckle at her little question.
“Well no, but if he heard you call his shop a thrift store he would berate you over his significant history.” he paused, thinking about something long dormant from his mind, “ He actually knows my parents now that think about it, and they helped get his store off the ground many years ago.” he explained and he could see her eyes shimmer in the light.
“That is so sweet of them. You think we’ll be there soon?” she asked the two turning the corner and down a street of shops and stores.
“We’re more closer than you think,” he said, and saw the store just ahead of them.
The store had chinese letters in bold yellow hanged over the shop. A english translation hung beneath it, and it read, ‘Antiques and Jeweled Seas’. A poster above the shop showed a chineses city that was surrounded by a great ocean, the blue color seeming to shimmer around the city itself. Jack went inside his place of work with Sonata following close behind him.
A little bell above the door rung sharply as the two went inside. Sonata took a few steps forward and Jack couldn’t help but grin a little at her childlike awe. Large pottery and furniture lined the room and they seemed to take the whole attention of Sonata. Several unique chairs and tables with price tags were placed and shown on full display for any curious customer. He had seen some of the pieces never get sold but they are a good look for displaying other small things like pottery or other fine wares.
Ahead of them was a small desk, with a single person resting on top. In front of him was a phone that was upright, along with several papers and a pen next to them. He also saw today’s newspaper and it was open to the voice edition and showing a general political comic of politics and what not. Jack smiled, recognizing his friend anywhere.
“Hey Lee, wake up!” Jack shouted. Lee lifted his head abruptly and shook himself awake. He brought a hand up and rubbed the sand out of his eyes.
“I’m up, I’m up. Welcome to…” he paused when he looked up him and he gave a wide smile.
“Hey Jack, how’s your day?” he asked, giving off a warm smile. Jack gave a wave and a smile of his own.
“Oh nothing much. How about you? Where’s your uncle?” he asked, his friend sitting straighter and rubbed the side of his black hair while looking at a piece of parchment paper.
“My uncle is out of town right now, he’s getting more things to sell for his shop. He said he hit it big with getting some fine quality diamonds as well, says there going to sell big for rings or broches.” he said and Jack nodded to him.
“That’s good, I guess he won’t need me for a bit to help out in the shop?” He asked, and Lee nodded to him.
“Yeah, he won’t be back till later in the week, give or take a few days until maybe Friday afternoon.” he explained, and Jack nodded in approval.
“I’ll be sure to swing around then,” Jack said, while Lee looked past him to eye on Sonata. Jack followed his gaze, seeing her nearby and was eyeballing a chinese dragon that had its mouth open and ready to pounce at any given notice. She had that childlike curiosity that just made Jack smile.
“So who’s the girl? Is she your girlfriend?” Lee asked.
The smile faded as fast as it had risen and a deep shade of red was present on his face.
“No she’s not!” Jack almost yelled out, staring back at his friend in such seriousness that his friend thought it was just laughable.
“I’m only joking my friend,” Lee said, raising his hands defensively, though Jack could still see his friend tittering over his bluster.
“Sonata is just staying with me until she finds her way, that’s all,” he explained but Lee only curled an eyebrow at him.
“That sounds like an excuse of denying you have a girlfriend Jack,” Lee said and Jack rolled his eyes at him.
“Don’t push it, I don’t think the both of us are even on the same,” something crashed behind him and his eyes widened a little but his eyes still focused on his friend, “page.” he finished, and slowly if not dreading to see what happened behind him.
Sonata Dusk was on the floor, holding a small blue vase that has broken down the center and into several large pieces. She held the fragments, her face showing much concern and worry over what she did. Magnus whined a little and sniffed her hand while holding one of the pieces in her hand. Lee stood up from his seat and walked over to them, seeing her hold the large pieces together and wanting to put the pieces together.
Although, trying to put that together would be like trying to put an egg back into its original shape.
“I’m so sorry,” she pleaded, “I really liked it and I was only want to hold it but it just slipped through my fingers.” she explained, her eyes looking teary eyed while Lee bended down to meet her gaze.
“That’s okay, accidents happen, but if you break something in this store you have to buy it,” Lee explained. I turned to my friend and he in turn looked at me with much seriousness, “that the rule in my uncle shop.” he explained and he learned that from seeing other customers doing the same thing and accidently breaking a priceless vase or even a dent to a antique china.
His uncle was quite serious when it came to such things.
Sonata looked at Jack, having those pleading puppy eyes. She knew that he knew that she didn’t have money and knowing where this road will lead Jack reluctantly had no choice in the matter.
“Alright, I’ll pay for it.” Jack said. Sonata felt elevated and she went up to hug him in the process.
“Oh thank you! I promise I’ll try to pay you back,” she said and Jack rolled his eyes.
“It’s okay! I got you,” he replied, before leaning in towards Lee, “So how much is it going to cost me?”
“Normally that vase would cost two hundred dollars. But, since you work here I would lower it to one hundred dollars. Hopefully that will be fair.” he explained and Jack groaned internally at such a high price.
“Great.”